Deputy Director – Policy & International

Job Description

Entity/ Authority: The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)

Division: Policy & International

Reporting to:  Director – Policy & International

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Salary: Maximum: €93,800/ Minimum: €75,549

Employment details: Full time/ Permanent, subject to 12 month probation.

Role Purpose

The CCPC is seeking to recruit a Deputy Director to work in the Policy & International Division (P&I). This is an opportunity for a motivated professional with strong leadership and management skills who is solutions and outcomes focussed.  Given the breadth of the CCPC’s remit, the role holder will need to demonstrate the drive and adaptability necessary to work in this dynamic environment.

It is the CCPC’s stated ambition to make markets work better for consumers by representing their interests nationally and internationally. In doing so, the CCPC will grow public understanding of the importance of open and competitive markets and influence public policy and legislation.  In September 2020, P&I was established to significantly increase the CCPC’s ability to proactively engage on policy development with stakeholders; and to increase its research capabilities to analyse markets, providing a strong evidence based voice for consumers in Ireland.

The role of the P&I Division is to:

• Use research and market studies to promote changes that make markets work better for consumers.
• Horizon scan to identify issues arising for consumers and in relation to competition in markets at an early stage.
• Ensure that consumer interests and competition concerns are given appropriate consideration in legislative, regulatory and policy decisions by working with Government Departments, regulators and other State agencies. This includes monitoring and reacting to calls by interest groups for consumer protection or competition laws to be repealed, suspended or diminished.
• Engage with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) and wider Government regarding powers and statutory responsibilities of the CCPC: legislative proposals, transposition of EU Directives and assessing the potential impact of new policy or legislative initiatives on the CCPC’s core consumer and competition mandate.
• Lead and coordinate the CCPC’s international engagement including its response to the post-Brexit environment, identifying emerging implications and actively engaging with relevant stakeholders.
• Strengthen the CCPC’s profile and voice in national and international forums.
• Ensure the efficient and effective administration of the CCPC’s international activities.

There is also a strong reactive element to the Division’s role as it is heavily influenced by external factors including developments both at EU and national level. As issues emerge via media commentary, policy developments and/or national and international political initiatives, the Division works across the organisation to prepare the CCPC response and engage with national and international stakeholders.

The new Deputy Director role is a key appointment contributing to the success of the work of the Division and the CCPC.  The P&I Division is actively recruiting to resource three distinct units: Policy Unit, International Unit and the future Research and Market Insights Unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in the strategic management and administration of the Division, deputising as required;
• Lead and manage performance and development of P&I team members, empowering the team to identify individual and team learning requirements;
• Working closely with the Director in leading a culture of continuous improvement in relation to developing Divisional procedures and internal systems;
• Support the CCPC’s senior management in monitoring and reacting to developing policy and international initiatives;
• Assist the Director in leading the CCPC’s international engagement including post-Brexit transition;
• Lead and project manage Divisional and cross-Divisional projects, including market studies and research projects;
• Proactive engagement with national and international stakeholders on competition and consumer related matters and policy development;
• Ensure the Division’s reporting obligations are performed in an accurate, efficient and timely manner;
• Promote the Vision, Mission and Values of the CCPC that will pro-actively contribute to the CCPC achieving its strategic objectives;
• Carry out any other additional tasks that may be assigned by the Director to deliver the business objectives of the Division and the CCPC.

Technical and Professional Requirements

Essential

• Third level degree or professional qualification in public policy, law, economics, social science, or comparable discipline associated with the role.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of leading and managing a team at a senior level (preferably related to policy appraisal).
• In-depth understanding of how public policy is shaped and developed In Ireland and the EU.
• Proven ability in developing and delivering strategic and operationally focused work programmes.
• Influencing skills including the ability to develop and maintain productive and engaging relationships with colleagues and a broad range of stakeholders.
• Ability to quickly master wide-ranging briefs; assimilate large volumes of information and arrive at clear proposed policy positions.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal.

Desirable

• Knowledge of consumer and/or competition related legislative environment, issues and challenges.
• Knowledge of primary, secondary and market (quantitative and qualitative) research methodologies.
• Knowledge of corporate governance and risk.
• Organisational change management experience.
• Knowledge of digital markets and their impact on consumer and/or competition issues.

How to apply:

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 25 May 2021 12:00, GMT.

You can apply through our recruitment portal @ https://www.ccpc-careers.com/deputy-director-policy-and-international-division

Additional information can be requested from [email protected]